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Below is a family biography included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published by Biographical Publishing Co. in 1894.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM SCHWARTZ, one of the earliest pioneers of Illinois, was born in Jackson County in 1826. Long before this period his parents and grandparents, who came from Pennsylvania and Kentucky, settled on the unbroken prairies with no other capital than perseverance, rugged honesty and untiring industry. To them the subject of this sketch owes much of his prosperity. Quite early in life he impressed his individuality upon the people as a shrewd, public man of affairs, as well as a farmer of unusual force and intelligence. As a member of the Lower Legislature he was respected for his opinions and advanced views upon questions affecting the people of his district. So great was the confidence reposed in him by those who knew him as a neighbor and friend, that many local offices were filled by him, and in these he served with the same fidelity that marked his course in every pursuit of life. In politics he was a Republican. In the faith of the Christian Church, of which he was long a member, he passed away September 22, 1871.

The lady who in 1851 became the wife of Mr. Schwartz bore the maiden name of Sarah Kimmel, and was a daughter of Henry Kimmel, who was numbered among the earliest settlers of Jackson County, having come here from Pennsylvania. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz, of whom three are living, George S., W. A. and Ellen. W. A. is a well known attorney residing in Carbondale; Ellen married J. D. Hays, a prominent citizen of Elkville; and George S., who was born in 1864, resides on the old homestead situated on section 20, Elk Township. His education was received in the State Normal University, and he is an intelligent, well informed man. In 1884 he married Miss Laura, daughter of Capt. Simeon Walker, of Carbondale, and they are the parents of two children: George S., Jr., who was born in 1886; and Irene, whose birth occurred in 1893.

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This family biography is one of 679 biographies included in The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois published in 1894.  View the complete description here: The Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois

View additional Jackson County, Illinois family biographies here: Jackson County, Illinois Biographies

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